Improvement in desks



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANZ JOSEPH RENNEKAMP, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN DESKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 175,379, dated March 28, 1876; application filed January 17, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

ing desks or secretaries which have a cylindrical revolving cover that closes over the pigeon-holes and small drawer-work when not in use, and a sliding writing-leaf, that may be extended or closed when desired. Its object is to provide a convenient means by which the desk may be opened for use, and closed when desired, by simply extending or closing in the sliding leaf. This is accomplished by a rack, secured by a bracket or web to the under side of the sliding writing-leaf, operating a segment of a cog-wheel rim. one end of which is secured to the brace or end of the cylindrical cover.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a front plan view of the desk, the cylindrical cover being revolved within the upper part of the case, as when the desk is to be used for writing. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section, cutting away one end of the desk to expose the rack and cogged rim which revolve the cylindrical cover as the leaf is drawn out or closed in. Fig. 3 is a similar view, showing a modification of the devices represented in Fig. 2.

The mode of constructing desks of this class, except the parts represented in the drawing by the letters A'and B, and a b, and the mode of attaching these parts to the desk, are now well known to the trade, and need no description here.

B is a bracket, secured to the sliding leaf E upon its under side. It projects down from the leaf. It is L-shaped in cross-section, and

pivot or hinge at the angle of braces 0 being v this center. 4

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, instead of the cog-wheel a grooved pulley is used, (one of its flanges is shown cut away in the drawing,) and instead of the teeth wires or steel springs a and b may be used, one end of each of these wires being secured to one end of the wheel, the opposite end of the wire being secured to the opposite end of the lower angle of bracket B, so that when leaf E is drawn out the cover is revolved by wire b, and when it is pushed in the cover isclosed by wire a. The opposite Wire in each case secures a steady movement.

In this desk, as the cove'rD requires no knobs or handles to open and close it, it may slide entirely within thedesk when open, and may, consequently, be made of a lesser arc of a circle. r

I claim In a writing-desk having the cylindrical revolving cover D and sliding leaf E, the combination of segmental rim A, secured to the inner brace 01' said rim, and the'brackct B, secured to and depending from the sliding leaf E, the said rim and bracket being geared together for the purpose of opening or closing said cover D by extending or closing the leaf E, substantially as described.

FRANZ JOSEPH RENNEKAMP.

Witnesses:

JAMES MOORE, HUGH SnIELs. 

